LPGA Tour Q-Series: Stephanie Kyriacou goes from unknown teen star to LPGA golf tour

Less than two years ago she was an unknown but precociously talented teen golfer. Now this Sydney youngster has cracked the LPGA tour.

Stephanie Kyriacou at St Michaels Golf Club, Little Bay, after winning the event that turned her pro.

Steph Kyriacou has claimed an LPGA golf tour card just weeks after turning 21 and less than two years after shocking the world as an amateur.

The Botany star on Monday joined fellow Australian’s Sarah Jane Smith and Karis Davidson in earning her card on the rich women’s golfing tour .

Kyriacou held her nerve with a final-round 71 on the Highlands Oaks Course in Alabama to finish tied for 16th at 11 under and well inside the top 45 required to qualify for the LPGA.

WHAT A RIDE: HOW STEPH KYRIACOU BECAME A LPGA GOLFER

DECEMBER 9: At 19 amateur golfer Stephanie Kyriacou came from nowhere - and a world ranking of 806 - to win the Australian Ladies Classic at Bonville and send a shudder of excitement through women’s golf just weeks before a global pandemic changed the world.

Now, just a fortnight after turning 21, the Sydney sensation could be about to capture more headlines after playing her way into the final stage of the LPGA Tour Q-Series with a sensational nine-under par 63 in Alabama.

Stephanie Kyriacou competing at the 2021 Lacoste Ladies Open de France. Pic: Tristan Jones/LET

The lowest round of the day put the Botany youngster, who travels with her father Nick, in a tie for fourth and one of 75 players left vying for 45 cards on offer to the richest women’s golf tour in the world, the 2022 LPGA Tour.

The young Australian is six shots behind Frenchwoman Pauline Roussin-Bouchard.

The youngster from St Michael’s Golf Club, has been on an extraordinary journey since winning at Bonville in February 2020 and turning professional just days later.

But she has navigated the difficulties of Covid to emerged as one of Australian golf’s most exciting prospects in years.

Stephanie Kyriacou after her win at the Australian Ladies Classic.

Kyriacou and fellow Australians Karis Davidson and Sarah Jane Smith all finished inside the top 25 in the first stage to be in the hunt for a prized position on tour where the likes of Minjee Lee and Hannah Green are stars.

If Kyriacou, who won a trophy but none of the $59,000 prizemoney in the Australian win which sent her into the professional ranks last year, makes the cut she will likely celebrate with a little more fervour than she did at Bonville.

“My host family made me some brownie so I du into those with some ice-cream,’’ Kyriacou said at the time.

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Originally published as LPGA Tour Q-Series: Stephanie Kyriacou goes from unknown teen star to LPGA golf tour